$4 million upgrade Beree-Badalla Reserve boardwalk at Currumbin Creek opens

One of the most picturesque boardwalks on the Gold Coast has reopened after a $4 million upgrade which divided locals.

One of the most picturesque boardwalks on the Gold Coast has reopened after a $4 million upgrade which divided locals.

On Thursday, the Beree-Badalla Reserve Boardwalk at Currumbin Creek opened after an eight-month revamp.

Minister for Disaster Recovery Ann Leahy said the “fabulous” upgrade of the 640m stretch was needed after it was damaged by floods in 2022.

“It is something that lots of locals will use and we have built it back better.”

When the revamp was announced in August last year, many locals and visitors said they were sad to see the timber boardwalk go.

However, Mrs Leahy said the new boardwalk, which was built with fibre glass and recycled plastic, was easier to maintain and cheaper for ratepayers.

Before the Beree-Badalla Reserve Boardwalk at Currumbin Creek eight month revamp.,

The Beree-Badalla Reserve Boardwalk at Currumbin Creek opened after an eight month revamp.

“This is a much more resilient material,” she said.

“It will last for 100 years and will outlast most of us here.

“It is also much safer and council can simply pull up a section and put a section back it.

“It will reduce ratepayer costs because its is a more resilient material.”

A council fact sheet stated the new material would not rust, break down or require continual coatings, “making it ideal for saltwater and exposed marine environments like Beree-Badalla Reserve”.

Member for Burleigh Hermann Vorster said the upgrade was vital to support the population boom on the southern Gold Coast.

“The boardwalk was already popular, but now that is wider, safer and built to a higher standard, even more Gold Coasters will (enjoy it),” he said.

Before the Beree-Badalla Reserve Boardwalk at Currumbin Creek eight month revamp.,

The Beree-Badalla Reserve Boardwalk at Currumbin Creek opened after an eight month revamp.

Division 13 councillor Josh Martin said he was happy to see a project open “on time and on budget”.

“We don’t always see that,” he said.

“It’s a credit to the team in difficult conditions, in the mangroves and managing the impacts of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

“They didn’t skip a beat.

“So, I’m really pleased to be throwing the gates open.

“I’ve already seen residents wonder through and stop and say how wonderful it is.”

Palm Beach resident Brett Knowles was one of the first locals to walk on the new $4 million project and he said it “needed it”.

“We’ve walked along this pathway for quite a few years before the upgrade,” he said.

“To see it finishing today is fabulous and a real credit to council.

“It was showing some significant signs of wear and tear and it was becoming unsafe in some regards.”

Mr Knowles said he preferred the new material over the old timber which once wrapped around Currumbin Creek.

“The new material blends in with the mangrove area,” he said.

“Not sad to see the timber go.”

Mr Knowles said he hoped council would consider upgrading pathways around Palm Beach which have been impacted by the growing population.

“My attention is on fixing Palm Beach which is loved to death.”

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